Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:1-4.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Paul tells us that because we belong to Jesus, we have received the Holy Spirit which frees us from “the power of sin that leads to death”. God had given us the law to teach us the right way to live but we needed more than instruction, we needed an example we could see and touch. Through Jesus, we are better able to relate to God.
Jesus knew what God wanted for us and demonstrated how we are intended to connect to Him and each other. He didn’t say the law was worthless, in fact He told us “I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose” (Matthew 5:17). The law was given to instruct us but we needed the Teacher in order to explain it to us.
Paul writes of the law “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15). We have been rule breakers from the very beginning. Jesus came to show us what it means to live in connection with Him, “so now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus”.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to be the living example of Your law. Help us to follow our Savior, that we may be redeemed to eternal life. Amen.
